Senior Character Rigger

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 1,153,000 - 1,976,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Fully remote work

Professional growth opportunities

Bonus potential

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Character Rigger for a fully remote position. You will design and maintain robust rigs for 2D/3D animation, craft intuitive control systems, and collaborate with modelers to optimize topology for believable deformations.

You'll mentor junior riggers and ensure compatibility with our animation pipeline. Ideal candidates bring a strong portfolio, expertise in Maya or Blender, and experience scripting with Python or MEL to automate tools, all within a remote team setting

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Character Rigger in animation, VFX, or gaming.
• Portfolio showcasing complex character rigs.
• Experience with Maya/Blender and scripting for rigging tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain high-quality character rigs for 2D and 3D animation.
• Create intuitive and user-friendly control systems for animators.
• Collaborate closely with character modelers to ensure topology and edge flow are optimal for deformation.
• Work with animators to understand their needs and provide efficient rigging solutions.
• Troubleshoot and optimize character rigs for performance and animation flexibility.
• Develop and maintain rigging documentation and best practices.
• Stay current with industry trends and advancements in rigging technology.
• Mentor junior riggers and contribute to the overall technical development of the rigging department.
• Ensure rigs are compatible with the studio's animation pipeline and software.

Skills

Character Rigging

Maya/Blender

Scripting (Python/MEL)

Remote Collaboration

Tools

Maya

Blender

Python

MEL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned animation studio with a strong focus on character-driven narratives, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Character Rigger for a fully remote position. This role is essential for bringing our characters to life, focusing on creating robust, flexible, and performative rigs that enable animators to deliver compelling performances. The Senior Character Rigger will work closely with modelers, animators, and technical directors to ensure that rigs meet all technical and artistic requirements across various projects. We are looking for a detail-oriented individual with a deep understanding of anatomy, mechanics, and animation principles. As a remote-first organization, we foster a collaborative and supportive environment where artists can thrive and contribute to groundbreaking projects from anywhere in the world. This is an excellent opportunity to join a talented team and make a significant impact on character development in the animation industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain high-quality character rigs for 2D and 3D animation.
• Create intuitive and user-friendly control systems for animators.
• Collaborate closely with character modelers to ensure topology and edge flow are optimal for deformation.
• Work with animators to understand their needs and provide efficient rigging solutions.
• Troubleshoot and optimize character rigs for performance and animation flexibility.
• Develop and maintain rigging documentation and best practices.
• Stay current with industry trends and advancements in rigging technology.
• Mentor junior riggers and contribute to the overall technical development of the rigging department.
• Ensure rigs are compatible with the studio's animation pipeline and software.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Character Rigger in animation, VFX, or gaming, with a portfolio showcasing complex character rigs.
• Expert proficiency in rigging software such as Maya, Blender, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of anatomy, biomechanics, and weight distribution for realistic and stylized deformations.
• Experience with scripting languages like Python or MEL for creating rigging tools and automation.
• Knowledge of animation principles and how rigging impacts the animation process.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to debug complex rigging issues.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, particularly within a remote team setting.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote work environment.
• Experience with facial rigging and expression systems is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering unparalleled flexibility.
• Opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement.
• Work on a diverse range of exciting character-driven projects.
• Collaborative and supportive remote team environment.
• Access to industry-leading software and resources.
• Paid time off and holiday allowances.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses.